Mr. Wendal

"Mr. Wendal" is a song recorded and released by American rap group Arrested Development in 1992, from their most commercially successful album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of.... In Europe and Australia, it was issued as a double A-side with their following single, "Revolution."

"Mr. Wendal"
Single by Arrested Development
from the album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of...
ReleasedDecember 7, 1992
Recorded1991
GenreHip hop
Length4:06
LabelEMI/Chrysalis Records
Songwriter(s)Todd Thomas, Sylvester Stewart
Producer(s)Speech
Arrested Development singles chronology
"People Everyday"
(1992)		 "Mr. Wendal"
(1992)		 "Revolution"
(1992)
Audio sample
  • file
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Music video
"Mr. Wendal" on YouTube

In the United States, the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 500,000 copies and earning a gold certification. Additionally, it peaked within the top ten on the charts of Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 1993 Kids Incorporated covered "Mr. Wendal" in the Season 9 episode "One Man Band".[1]

Content

The song was written about the plight of the homeless and encourages people not to ignore them just because of their status or how they look, but instead to learn from their non-materialistic lifestyles.

The song features a sample from "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly and the Family Stone [2] and possibly borrows its chord structure from "Peg" by Steely Dan.

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Keith Ward.[3]

Charts and sales

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[26] Gold 5,000*
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000*[28]

*sales figures based on certification alone

References
  1. Kids Incorporated – Mr. Wendal
  2. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/6492/Arrested-Development-Mr.-Wendal-Sly-%26-the-Family-Stone-Sing-a-Simple-Song/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7060992/
  4. "Australian-charts.com – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  5. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 100235." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  6. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1714." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  7. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 5. January 30, 1993. p. 43. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  9. "Lescharts.com – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in French). Les classement single.
  10. "Offiziellecharts.de – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mr Wendal / Revolution". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  13. "Charts.nz – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". Top 40 Singles.
  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  15. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  16. "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  17. "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  18. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  19. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  20. "Arrested Development Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  21. "Arrested Development Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  22. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  23. "The RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  24. "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  25. "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  26. "New Zealand single certifications – Arrested Development – Mr Wendal". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  27. "American single certifications – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 7, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  28. "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. BPI Communications. 106 (3): 73. January 15, 1994. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
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